Wednesday 2nd June 2010

007's Aston Goes Under The Hammer

James Bond's only surviving DB5 movie car is up for grabs

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The sole surviving 1964 Aston Martin DB5 James Bond movie car is going under the hammer, and is expected to achieve a sale price in the region of £3 million.

Well-known around the world by its original UK registration number, FMP 7B, this Aston Martin is one of only two, and apparently the sole remaining, of the original '007' DB5s as featured on screen with Sean Connery behind the wheel in the Goldfinger and Thunberball movies.

With its 'rather interesting modifications' originally conceived by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert, John Stears, this authentic Bond movie car is factory-fitted with the full complement of operational 'Q-Branch' gadgets, including machine guns, bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, tracking device, removable roof panel, oil slick sprayer, nail spreader and smoke screen, all controlled from factory installed toggles and switches hidden in the centre arm-rest.

The DB5 was originally loaned to EON Productions for the filming of the two Bond movies, and returned to the Aston Martin Lagonda factory after a subsequent promotional tour. Jerry Lee, an American radio broadcaster, convinced the factory to sell FMP 7B to him for $12,000 in 1969, thereby becoming its first and only ex-factory owner. It has remained in his possession and has rarely been seen in public since. The car recently underwent re-commissioning, returning it to running condition after many years of static display in the owner's home.

In advance of its auction debut at RM's sale on 27 October, the car is set to make its first 21st century public appearance at the Bond-themed Midsummer Classic/Thunderball concours and black-tie reception scheduled for 26 June at the Stoke Park Club located outside of London.
Bond fans should recognize the Stoke Park Club as the site of the first confrontation between 007 and Goldfinger.

[P4ROT]

Nice to see it coming out of hiding after all these years- these "collectors" who just keep cars for themselves really annoy me!

[soad]

Nice pension fund - sure sat on it long enough.

[GingerWizard]

I believe there might be more then one.....

[B10]

Not a bad ROI

[edo]

GingerWizard said:

I believe there might be more then one.....

Did I hear Evans right this morning - he rekons the owner of JCB has the other one?

[Fury1630]

"With its 'rather interesting modifications' ..... this authentic Bond movie car is factory-fitted with the full complement of operational 'Q-Branch' gadgets, including machine guns, ......."

Fully operational machine guns? You'd need a hellish big gun cabinet to lock that in.

[dpbird90]

Fury1630 said:

"With its 'rather interesting modifications' ..... this authentic Bond movie car is factory-fitted with the full complement of operational 'Q-Branch' gadgets, including machine guns, ......."

Fully operational machine guns? You'd need a hellish big gun cabinet to lock that in.

I wonder if the ejector seat works?

[Dr G]

More photos and details here:

http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode...

There isn't an estimate or reserve anywhere; 7 figures perhaps?

[dpbird90]

Dr G said:

More photos and details here:

http://www.rmauctions.com/FeatureCars.cfm?SaleCode...

There isn't an estimate or reserve anywhere; 7 figures perhaps?

The PH article reckons £3m

[Wammer]

Three Million is that it i would have thought this car would have been priceless. It has got to be a record breaker hasn't it.

[rsv gone!]

Looks like something Jay Leno might be interested in.

[ktm301p]

I this Pistonheads SOTW?



(Joking, please don't kill me)

[Wammer]

I would have thought a car museum like beaulieu would be interested in it.

[Davey S2]

Wammer said:

Three Million is that it i would have thought this car would have been priceless. It has got to be a record breaker hasn't it.

No. There were several produced and although its an iconic car it would never reach the price of some Ferraris with illustrious racing histories.

[newdogg06]

Stoke Park Club? The brother-in-law works there. Might try and get a sneaky peak on the 26th

[LukeBird]

So, so cool!

[hardmouse1]

i would be scared to drive it, as im sure my fate be that some badger or pr*ck would come into the side me

[nickpan]

edo said:

GingerWizard said:

I believe there might be more then one.....

Did I hear Evans right this morning - he rekons the owner of JCB has the other one?

What's the story here? That is was stolen in '97 and allegedly destroyed but in fact belongs to Sir Anthony Bamford?

[jamespink]

The revolving number plates would be a boon with average speed cameras!

[Gallen]

Whoever gave it less than 10/10:

Please LEAVE Pistonheads NOW!!!!!